Elon Musk is one of the most talked-about figures of our time. As the mind behind Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and other groundbreaking ventures, he has been hailed as a genius, a disruptor, and even a modern-day Tony Stark. But for all his achievements, controversies, and bold visions for the future, few people truly know the man behind the headlines.
One person who does? Maye Musk his mother, a successful model, dietitian, and author, who has witnessed Elon’s journey firsthand, from his childhood obsession with science to becoming one of the most influential and polarizing figures in the world.
In a recent interview, Maye opened up about the misconceptions surrounding her son, offering a rare glimpse into his real personality, struggles, and relentless drive.
"People often misunderstand him," she said. "They see the headlines, the tweets, and the business moves, but they don’t see the deeply compassionate, hardworking, and determined person behind it all."
While the world debates his tweets, corporate decisions, and ambitious projects, Maye Musk paints a picture of a man who has always been driven by something bigger than himself a relentless pursuit of innovation that started long before he became a billionaire.
A Childhood Marked by Genius and Struggle
Elon Musk wasn’t like other kids. While many children spent their free time playing sports or watching cartoons, young Elon was buried in books, teaching himself complex engineering principles, and building rudimentary computers before most of his peers even knew what coding was.
"Elon was different from the start," Maye recalled. "He wasn’t just intelligent he was intensely curious. He read entire encyclopedias, studied physics for fun, and constantly asked questions about how things worked."
But childhood wasn’t always easy for him. Growing up in South Africa, Elon faced bullying and isolation. His quiet nature and advanced intellect made him a target for classmates who didn’t understand him.
"He was beaten up so badly one time that he couldn’t even walk," Maye revealed. "But he never let that stop him. He buried himself in learning and dreaming about a future beyond his circumstances."
At 17, he left for North America, determined to build a life for himself in the land of opportunity. Maye, who had already moved to Canada, supported him in every way she could. With barely any money, he worked odd jobs, attended college, and eventually transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, where he excelled in physics and business.
The Burden of Innovation and the Price of Success
Fast-forward to today, and Elon Musk is at the center of multiple industries that define the future—electric vehicles, space travel, artificial intelligence, and brain-computer interfaces. But his success has come with immense scrutiny and pressure.
Maye Musk says few people truly grasp the weight of responsibility he carries.
"Most people can’t comprehend what it’s like to run multiple companies that are actively trying to change the world," she explained. "He’s not just making cars he’s trying to ensure the survival of humanity by pushing for sustainable energy, interplanetary travel, and advanced AI research. That kind of work comes with incredible stress."
The intense public scrutiny doesn’t help. Elon’s outspoken nature, controversial tweets, and unconventional business strategies have often made him a target for media criticism.
"People say he’s reckless, but they don’t see the sleepless nights, the endless problem-solving, and the sacrifices he makes to push innovation forward," Maye said.
Despite the challenges, Elon remains unwavering in his mission.
"He’s always been someone who dreams big, but he also works harder than anyone I know," Maye added. "People see him as this larger-than-life figure, but to me, he’s still the same boy who used to take apart computers just to figure out how they worked."
Elon Musk as a Son, Father, and Human Being
Beyond the high-profile business empire, Elon Musk is also a father, a brother, and someone with a deep personal side that rarely makes headlines.
Elon Musk's 14 Children and Their Mothers
Maye described a funny, affectionate, and deeply thoughtful person behind the scenes.
"Elon has a great sense of humor. He’s actually very funny something people don’t always expect," she shared. "He also cares deeply about his children and makes time for them despite his crazy schedule."
He’s also deeply philosophical, constantly thinking about humanity’s place in the universe.
"When he was a teenager, he would stay up late pondering the meaning of existence and the fate of the human race," Maye recalled. "That’s why he does what he does because he truly believes in securing a better future for humanity."
She also defended his unfiltered way of communicating, particularly on Twitter.
"He’s always been direct. He says what he thinks, and sometimes that gets him into trouble," she admitted. "But he’s not trying to be controversial he’s just being himself."
Maye Musk: A Matriarch of Strength and Independence
At 75 years old, Maye Musk continues to break barriers as a model, author, and advocate. She has built a legacy that stands independently of her son’s success, showing the world that age is no barrier to ambition and reinvention.
Her memoir, A Woman Makes a Plan, details her struggles as a single mother, her journey through financial hardships, and how she raised three extraordinarily successful children while forging her own career.
"I never raised my kids to be ordinary," she said. "I always told them to think big, work hard, and never give up. And that’s exactly what Elon has done."
Even as one of the world’s most famous mothers, Maye maintains a sense of humility and gratitude.
"I never expected my son to become one of the most influential people on the planet," she admitted. "I just wanted him to be happy and to do what he loves. The fact that he’s changing the world in the process? That’s just a bonus."
A Mother’s Final Word on Elon Musk
Despite the relentless media attention, the controversies, and the immense pressures of his position, Maye Musk stands by her son with unwavering support.
"At the end of the day, Elon just wants to make the world better. He’s not perfect none of us are but his heart is in the right place," she said.
As Elon Musk continues to push boundaries, challenge the status quo, and drive innovation, one thing remains clear behind the billionaire, the entrepreneur, and the visionary is a man shaped by a mother’s love, resilience, and belief in his extraordinary potential.